There seems to be a lot of interest in playing lower key whistles, low D in particular.
The question that comes to my mind is this…if you spend enough time to develop some expertise on the larger, lower whistles, how does that affect your ability to go back and play the higher-pitched whistles?
I would think that to develop any real proficiency (mine is only modest), one would have to stick with one whistle and not switch around.
Any thoughts on this?
I’ve got to say that I agree with you. Playing a whistle is sort of like playing a car. When you switch from one to another it can really throw off your performance until you get used to it. Every whistle reacts very differently, even whistles made by the same maker in the same key. I think that a person should try a bunch of whistles until they find one that they really like and then just plug away on that whistle for a couple of years until they know it inside and out (and really know how to play). I’ve heard virtuoso players in Ireland playing extraordinary music on banged up old Generation whistles that they’ve had for twenty years. Those players know those whistles like they know their brothers and sisters, maybe better.
If one is to play low whislte, the low D should about do it, unless one is playing in an ensemble that plays in all sorts of wierd keys. I have whistles in all sorts of keys, but since most of my playing is in sessions I pretty much just play those in D and low D, and sometimes Eb flat when it’s one of THOSE sessions. The reason why I have all the wierd keys is because I record with non-trad musicians from time to time and they usually want to to play in a key that is undoable on a D whistle or flute. I think the decision really depends on how you intend to use the instruments - session, performance/recording, or personal enjoyment.
Let us narrow the discussion to playing low D and high D whistles, instead of thinking about all the other keys as well. I do think that playing the low D a lot can make it difficult to control the breath when playing a high D, but this isn’t a serious problem as long as you give the high D equal time. Likewise, if one were to play the high D most of the time playing a low D would be quite difficult. Most whistle players of the professional or at least very advanced variety do tend to play EITHER low whistles or high whistles, but rarely both. Some do it quite succesfully, but I think most of them could play anything succesfully.
Sorry for the ramblings. I hope this is in some way helpful.
Chris
Its all a matter of ability and limitations as to what whistle you decide to focus playing on.Playing solely on one instrument wihout experimenting on others can lead to boredom and musical tunnel vision and that goes for keys as well..there are no weird keys if you are backing singers.Low whistles are definately more chalenging than sopranos to learn on which is why they compliment one another so well and the ergonomic piper grip for a low whistle can also offer benefits for high whistle.Peace, mike:)
Well, if we were talking flutes I’d agree that sticking to one would be preferrable; learning a new embouchure to fit a new flute isn’t easy. 
However, with whistles I don’t think any harm’s being done playing both high and low whistles, and I know that in my case, playing the low D makes playing a soprano whistle afterwards easier: Sort of like training for swordfighting with extra-heavy swords, then using a normal sword for the actual swordfight, which will then feel light and wieldy. The above comparison being entirely, er, theoretical of course.
Cheers,
Jens
Yeah, both these guys are probably right. it can’t really hurt to play a bunch of different whistles. I just think it may be harmful to constantly jump between them. Spend some time with a whistle and get to know it before moving on.
Chris
Very experienced recorder players play all sizes of recorders (In Royal Conservatory Excaminations this a requirement of the higher levels) In concerts you will see them switch from alto to sopranino, tenor to soprano or bass etc. sometimes even in the same piece. So, as long as you practice lots, switching between sizes of whistles should not be a problem.
Just my personal experience, but I find after playing my low D for a couple of hours and then switching to a sop D my fingers just fly on it. Perhaps it has to do with stretching them out really good while playing the low D
Paul’s Dad,
I regularly switch between whistles, especially between my Low-D and Regular-D.
I find that the low-D has a lot more expression available, I can work on my ornamentation. It also requires a lot more wind. I have to concentrate on getting my fingering just right and in rhythm, my low-D is much less tolerant of poor finger seals. Because I tend to play the tune slower on my low D, I tend to learn the notes and ornamentation more thoroughly.
When I then move to a regular D most of the techniques carry over, except that Instead of taking a breath every couple of measures, I can now get through a hole section. I also find that my regular D play is much quicker and more precise. Ornamentations like cuts, crans, and rolls are quick and implemented without thought. My practices with the regular D focus on improving rhythm and speed, especially for jigs and reels.
If I learn a jig on a low-d to get the notes, ornamentation down, then move it to a regular D when I’m ready to work on speed and rhythm, then when I bring it back to the Low-D, I tend to bring the improved speed and rhythm across.
Learning to match breath control to the whistle I’m playing is a skill I want to develop. As a result, I try to make sure I play a lot of different whistles from time to time. I may have a regular High and Low D whistles I use for most of my practice, but I also try to play a little on each of the other whistles. For My A and F whisltes as well as a couple of alternative regular-d’s I try to play them at least once a week.
With the regular D’s, I like to play them because each has its own characteristics. I have a really loud wind gobbling Chieftain tunable; I have a sweet, quiet, windless Burke narrow bore; and I have a breathy indestructible and weather impervious Dixon.
By practicing on all three, I can then select the right instrument for the mood, venue, and tune. As I move between whistles, it may take half a tune or so to warm up to the adjustments, but this adjusting to the whistle give me a greater range of choices in my music.
If all I ever used was a small cresent wrench, I’d get pretty good precisely adjusting a water flow valve; however, that big clunker pipe wrench, is what I want when it’s time to clean the drains. I’d also want to learn to use all the sockets, in my socket wrench set to handle any nut that came along. I’d probably want to be handy with visegrips and a hacksaw for the more ornry nuts and bolts.
This piece of perferated tubing with the plug on the end is just a tool to make music. My goal is to get to that place where, weather I pour my soul through a thin or thick, long or short, loud or soft, high or low, clear or chiffy whistle; it will be a reflection of my soul and not simply which whistle I’m most proficient on.
Playing a bunch of different whistles may make my journey longer, but I prefer the rich, robustness of all the side roads. I’m too busy enjoying the trip to worry too much about the destination.
So here I sit with my WhOA implemented to its best advantage, with me enjoying my music, and hoping that weather you play one or a hundred instruments, that you find you too can …
Enjoy Your Music,
Lee Marsh
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2001-11-01 11:20 ]
I hadn’t given much thought to the different breath requirements or the weight of the larger instrument.
I guess I was thinking mainly about the larger size of the holes and the greater distance between them. I mean, when I play my high D, I “know” where the holes are and usually don’t make the kind of mistakes (accidental ornamentation) that come from partially missing them on a fast piece. If I pick up one of my C’s and try to play the same tune, my fingers aren’t always in the right place.
Have you guys had that problem or is it just me?